Resources for Reference and Research

Our professionals have gathered resources that can assist you with researching many matters related to family law.

Family Law Resources Links

The Mueller Law Firm has compiled a list of useful family law web links to facilitate your independent online research. The links have been organized into several categories including adoption, attorney associations, business and real estate, child support, credit protection, divorce, emotional health, family services, meditation, men's/father's resources, N.C. government, N.C. legislation, safety and Wake County. Please use the Resources Menu on the right to proceed directly to your desired topic.

Adoption

Adoptionhttp://www.adoption.comPotential parents can find a wealth of useful information on this website. Learn about adoption in this State and current issues surrounding adoptive parents, adoptive children, and children’s health.

U.S. Department of State, International Adoptionhttp://www.adoption.state.gov you are interested in adopting a child internationally, this website is an excellent resource for you.

Attorney Associations

North Carolina Advocates for Justice (formerly North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers)http://www.ncaj.com/The Academy’s mission is to empower the community by providing them with legal education and protecting their rights. This organization is non-profit and is not affiliated with any other organization.

North Carolina Bar Associationhttp://www.ncbar.orgApproximately 12,500 attorneys in the State of North Carolina hold voluntary membership in this organization, which promotes the administration of justice and encourages high standards of integrity and competence among attorneys. On this website, you can find information regarding the Bar Association’s ethical requirements of attorneys and member attorneys in your area.

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyershttp://www.aaml.orgThis is a national organization for highly qualified matrimonial attorneys. This website is an excellent resource for finding Academy members in your area, as well as information about separation, divorce, and related children’s issues. There are chapters of this organization in every state. Access the North Carolina chapter’s website at http://www.nc-aaml.com.

Business and Real Estate

Wake County Real Estatehttp://www.wakegov.comIn preparation for equitable distribution, real property interests need to be researched. At this website, you can find the necessary documents to properly identify real property, and obtain tax values associated with the property, among other important information.

Wake County Register of Deedshttp://web.co.wake.nc.us/rdeedsExamples of official documents which must be recorded at the Register of Deeds’ office are deeds, deeds of trust, and marriage licenses. This website provides access to such documents, as well as information about starting your own business.

American Institute for Certified Public Accountantshttp://www.aicpa.orgThis website provides links to items such as “how-to’s of financial health” and information regarding the new “Check Clearing for the 21st Century” Act.

Institute of Business Appraisershttp://go-iba.org/member-directory/index.phpSome appraisers focus solely on appraising businesses rather than real property or other types of assets. Locate a Certified Business Appraiser in your area at this website.

Child Support

North Carolina Division of Social Serviceshttp://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dss/index.htmThe Division of Social Services is a source of many services for your family; its home page states its goals to “protect children, strengthen families, and help all North Carolinians to achieve maximum self-sufficiency.” Go to its “eChild support” link, http://www.ncchildsupport.com/, for information concerning your child support case (see directly below).

N.C. Child Supporthttp://www.ncchildsupport.comThis is a valuable resource for parents who pay or receive child support through centralized collections. On this site, either parent can check on the progress of his or her child support case. If you are scheduled to receive child support, check this site to see whether you will receive your payment soon or to calculate the amount of back child support which may be owed you. If you pay child support, use this site to make sure the other parent received your payment and that you are currently paying the correct amount. This site even allows you to make your child support payments online.

North Carolina Child Support Guidelineshttp://www.supportguidelines.com/main.htmlWhether receiving or paying child support, it is important to know what is legally expected and required of you. Familiarity with the Child Support Guidelines in your state will ensure that you are an informed parent. General child support issues and guidelines for all States can be obtained at the above homepage, while Guidelines for North Carolina are available at http://www.nccourts.org/forms/Documents/981.pdf.

Child Support Worksheets and Child Support Worksheet Guidelineshttps://nddhacts01.dhhs.state.nc.us/WorkSheet.jspLearn how the amount of child support you pay or receive was calculated according to the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines. If your child support matter was heard before a judge in court, this worksheet was used to calculate the appropriate child support amount. On this website, see what child support amount you would likely be awarded or ordered to pay if the matter was heard in a court of law in this State.

Credit Protection

Federal Trade Commissionhttp://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre08.shtmSeparation and/or divorce commonly affect one or both parties’ credit. Use this site sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission, called “Facts for Consumers,” to understand how credit accounts opened during your marriage may affect your credit.

Divorce

General Divorce Informationhttp://www.divorce.comThis website can be a useful source of basic information regarding separation and divorce in North Carolina.

Emotional Health

DivorceCare Support Groupshttp://www.divorcecare.orgThere are thousands of DivorceCare support groups throughout the United States and twenty other countries. These groups meet weekly and help adult parties to separation and/or divorce cope with the difficult emotions surrounding this ordeal. Enter your zip code in this site’s “DivorceCare finder” and locate a divorce support group near you.

Family Services

North Carolina Division of Social Serviceshttp://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dss/index.htmThe Division of Social Services is a source of many services for your family; its home page states its goals to “protect children, strengthen families, and help all North Carolinians to achieve maximum self-sufficiency.” Go to its “eChild support” link, http://www.ncchildsupport.com/, for information concerning your child support case (see directly below).

Triangle Family Services of North Carolinahttp://www.tfsnc.org/This organization sponsors “Time Together,” a local program which facilitates supervised visitation between non-custodial parents and their children. This website also provides information concerning mental health services for families.

Interact of Wake Countyhttp://www.interactofwake.org/Interact is a private, non-profit, United Way agency that provides safety, support, and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. The organization is supported by volunteers and the community.

The Women’s Center of Wake Countyhttp://www.wcwc.orgThe Women’s Center began over twenty years ago helping women reenter the community after prison and have more recently turned to “the most critical needs of women, addressing the growing issue of homelessness for women with children and single women.”

Triangle United Wayhttp://www.unitedwaytriangle.orgAccess this valuable website to learn how you can obtain United Way services in the Raleigh area, and/or how you can make a difference in your community through supporting the United Way.

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapyhttp://www.aamft.orgUse this website to locate a family therapist near you or to find books, articles, and other information concerning family problems. A similar family therapist-locator is available through the North Carolina Association for Marriage & Family Therapy at http://www.therapistlocator.net/.

Mediation

North Carolina Association of Professional Family Mediatorshttp://familymediators.org/The North Carolina Association of Professional Family Mediators ("NCAPFM") is the state-wide professional organization for family mediators. Most of its members have private practices for providing mediation services to the public. At their website, you can learn more about family mediation and also locate a mediator near you.

Mediation Network of North Carolinahttp://mnnc.org/This Raleigh-based organization promotes mediation as a form of resolving conflicts in the community, courts, and schools. Learn more about mediation at this website.

Men’s / Father’s Resources

Dads and Daughtershttp://www.dadsanddaughters.orgDads and Daughters is a national advocacy nonprofit organization for fathers and daughters. At this site, you can find helpful fathering information such as “Ten Tips for Live-Away Dads.” According to its mission statement, the group “inspires fathers to actively and deeply engage in the lives of their daughters and galvanizes fathers and others to transform the pervasive cultural messages that devalue girls and women.” Women, as daughters, may also join this organization.

National Center for Fatheringhttp://www.fathers.com“Fathers leave an indelible mark on their children and society. We must encourage, equip, and support dads as they become the true heroes of the coming generation.” (Ken Canfield, Ph.D., Founder and President of National Center for Fathering). The Center describes itself as “a resource for men to strengthen their fathering skills” by focusing on the positive, proactive side of fathering.

Father’s Worldhttp://www.fathersworld.com/mission.htmlThe Mission Statement of “Father’s World” is “to promote and celebrate fatherhood and family as the leading source of information, resources, support and education for all types of fathers and their families.” This website contains a wealth of resources for fathers, including parenting, health, and career resources, online message boards, and articles by other dads, such as “The Top Ten Surprises of Fatherhood” and “A Man’s Guide to Pregnancy.”

National Fatherhood Initiativehttp://www.fatherhood.org/National Father Initiative states that its mission is “to improve the well-being of children by increasing the proportion of children growing up with involved, responsible, and committed fathers.” The group accomplishes this mission through public awareness campaigns, research, and partnerships.

The Fathers Networkhttp://www.fathersnetwork.org/This website is devoted to “fathers and families raising children with special health care needs and developmental disabilities.”

The Triangle Men’s Centerhttp://www.trianglemenscenter.org/2006/index.phpAccording to its website, the Triangle Men’s Center is focused on “helping men to grow, enrich and improve their lives through mutual support, personal fellowship and ongoing activities. Its goal is to strengthen men as they occupy the roles of son, father, husband/partner, friend and citizen.”

Triangle Men’s Inquiry Meeting, Raleighhttp://www.toinquire.com/This organization of local men is devoted to exploring the role of men as members of their families and communities. Among other topics of discussion, the focus of one Inquiry Meeting, according to the website, was “what are the unique nurturing qualities that a man can offer his children?”

N.C. Government

North Carolina Department of the Secretary of Statehttp://www.secstate.state.nc.us/North Carolina-based businesses are monitored by the Secretary of State’s office. The mission of this office, according to its home page, is to “serve and protect citizens…by providing accurate and timely information and by preserving documents and records [concerning business activities].” When preparing for equitable distribution, information regarding business interests is often instrumental; locate business information at this website.

Also at this website you can access information concerning the North Carolina Constitution, the North Carolina General Statutes, and information regarding birth certificates and organ donation.

North Carolina Court Systemhttp://www.nccourts.orgAny court system can be confusing to those who do not regularly work with it. The North Carolina Court System website addresses frequently asked questions, provides court calendars for domestic court, and lists court costs and pertinent contact information.

The Official Website of North Carolinahttp://www.ncgov.comThe official website of North Carolina contains a wealth of information about being a citizen, worker, and/or business owner in this State. Also on this site, links are available to all State agencies with websites.

N.C. Legislation

North Carolina General Assemblyhttp://www.ncga.state.nc.usYou cannot know if your rights are being violated if you do not know what your rights are. On this website, you can find the laws of North Carolina, both current and pending, the State Constitution, when the legislature will meet, frequently asked questions, and links to other State government sites.

Family Law Arbitration Acthttp://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_50/Article_3.htmlResolving domestic issues via the court system, although sometimes necessary, can also become quite expensive. This law was enacted in 1999 with the goal of reducing the number of parties forced to turn to litigation to resolve issues of divorce, child custody, child support, and related issues, and therefore decrease expenses to both parties, through the use of arbitration. Learn more about arbitration at this website.

Safety

U.S. Department of State, issues surrounding International Child Abduction··http://travel.state.gov/abduction/abduction_580.htmlThe Hague Convention protects American citizens whose children have been kidnapped and taken to another country by a parent. Not all countries are Convention members, but those who are have agreed to work together to return abducted children to their country of residence. Hopefully, as a parent you will never need this website, but in the event that you do, this website can show you how to put the Convention to work for you.

The National Center for Missing or Exploited Childrenhttp://www.missingkids.comOn this website, parents of children abducted within the United States can learn what actions to take in the event their child is abducted. The site also posts photographs of missing children. Information concerning issues of child sexual exploitation are also included.

U.S. Department of State, Child & Family Issueshttp://www.state.gov/youthandeducation/This site provides links to information concerning International Child Abduction, International Adoption, and other family and children’s issues such as child custody and support.

NetSmartz Workshop®http://www.netsmartz.orgInternet safety is a major topic of concern for many parents of children with internet access at home, at school, or at friends’ or relatives’ houses. This Workshop teaches you and your child how to navigate the web safely. NetSmartz® was created by the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Interact of Wake Countyhttp://www.interactofwake.org/Interact is a private, non-profit, United Way agency that provides safety, support, and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. The organization is supported by volunteers and the community.

N.C. Council of Women and Domestic Violence Commissionhttp://www.nccfwdvc.com/index.htmThe N.C. Council of Women was created by the Governor of North Carolina in 1963, and the Domestic Violence Commission in the same manner in 1999; the agencies consolidated in 2001. This site is a good source of research and legislation concerning women’s issues, particularly domestic violence.

Sex Offender Registryhttp://sexoffender.ncdoj.gov/The North Carolina Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry requires a person who is a resident of North Carolina and who has a reportable conviction to maintain registration with the sheriff of the county where the person resides. Search the Registry at this site to ensure your neighborhood is safe.

American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violencehttp://new.abanet.org/domesticviolence/Pages/default.aspxDomestic attorneys often encounter clients in their practice who are victims of domestic violence. In 1994, the American Bar Association formed an official commission to “to increase access to justice for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking by mobilizing the legal profession,” educate attorneys and the general public on the topic of domestic violence and provide helpful resources. Visit this site for information such as “Five Ways to Eliminate Domestic Violence” and “How An Abuser Can Discover Your Internet Activities.”

National Domestic Violence Hotlinehttp://www.ndvh.org/Visit this site to learn about Hotline services, for general education regarding domestic violence at home, in teen relationships, and in the workplace, and to find out how you can help.

Wake County

Wake County Real Estatehttp://www.wakegov.comIn preparation for equitable distribution, real property interests need to be researched. At this website, you can find the necessary documents to properly identify real property, and obtain tax values associated with the property, among other important information.

Wake County Register of Deedshttp://web.co.wake.nc.us/rdeedsExamples of official documents which must be recorded at the Register of Deeds’ office are deeds, deeds of trust, and marriage licenses. This website provides access to such documents, as well as information about starting your own business.

Wake County Sheriffhttp://www.wakegov.com/sheriff/Access this website for contact information, information concerning missing persons and wanted persons, and law enforcement agency links.

Wake County Family Court Calendarhttp://www.wcfcc.com/This website allows you to see “what cases and issues have already been calendared to help determine the likelihood of your case being heard on a particular date.”

Commitment to Our Clients

The Mueller Law Firm concentrates solely on representing a broad spectrum of clients in all matters related to separation, child custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution and all other legal issues arising out of marriage. The firm is committed to an approach that combines exceptional legal skills, experience, education and extraordinary service to ensure specific expectations and requirements of each client and case are achieved with a high degree of satisfaction.